Aadhaar card based e-gates at airports in India soon to make travel seamless

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to make passengers' entry in all major airports across the country a bit easier.

BCAS had in October said in a statement that Mobile Aadhaar could be used as an identity proof to enter airports. (Reuters)

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is planning to make passengers’ entry in all major airports across the country a bit easier. As per a top government official, the ministry has decided to use Aadhaar card as digital identity required for paperless entry in airports. It is expected to install e-gates to permit Aaadhar card-based travel from 2018. As of now, air passengers in the country are needed to show printed or mobile tickets and a government identity card. After the new system is introduced, entry in airports would be based on biometrics, livemint.com reported.

Civil Aviation secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey said in an interview that the ministry is likely to create template document needed for introducing an Aadhaar-based system at airports by the end of January, which will also be approved by security agencies. Once the process is complete, airports in the country will be permitted to adopt biometric readers and other technology vendors to introduce the system. He also said that a database that talks freely between airports, airlines and Aadhaar authorities—is already being looked into, he further said.

Earlier in October, aviation security agency Bureau of Civil Aviation and Security (BCAS) had said in a statement that Mobile Aadhaar could be used as an identity proof to enter airports, while identification documents for minors accompanied by parents would not be required. It further said that passengers at the airport would have to produce any of the 10 ID proofs, which include voter ID card, passport, PAN card, Aadhaar or m-Aadhaar, and driving license.

It also said that passbooks issued by a nationalised bank, pension card, disability photo identification and service photo ID card of central/state government, PSU, local bodies and private limited company would be accepted as well. While differently-abled air passengers would required to produce a disability photo ID or a medical certificate, students also have the option to furnish a photo identity card issued by a government institute.

“In order to ensure that a bonafide passenger is travelling on a valid ticket issued in his/her name as well as to avoid any controversy/argument with the security staff, any of the following photo identity documents can be carried in original”, BCAS circular had said on October 26.